Ways to Save Money Part 6

Ways to Save Money Part 6

So, you think we are running out of tips on how you can save more money?  We’re not even close!  Due to the popularity of this blog series will be continuing our theme of saving money next week as well.  Keep visiting our website daily to learn more!

Tip #6:  Quitting Your Bad Habits!

So let’s be real for a minute.  Most of us have bad habits.  What’s worse is that most of our bad habits cost us money!  Chances are that you want to quit your bad habit for health reasons anyway.  Here are a few more reasons to finally take control and quit that thing that has had such a strong hold on you.  Use this extra motivation to your advantage!

1.  Quit Smoking. 

Most cigarettes cost around $5.00 per pack.  So, if you have a pack a day habit did you know that you spend around $1,820 per year on cigarettes?  You probably didn’t know that smoking was costing you so much money.  Quitting this bad habit could put a lot of extra cash back into your budget.

2.  Stop Drinking Energy Drinks.

Here is another habit that can cost you a lot of money.  Most energy drinks run about $2.00 per 16 oz. can at your local convenience store.  If you drink 2 energy drinks per day then you spend around $1,456 per year on this habit. Quitting this habit entirely is the best way to go.  However, if you aren’t ready to quit, try to cut back.  Plus, if you buy your energy drinks by the case at your local warehouse (i.e. Sams Club, BJ’s, etc.) then you will save an average of $0.77 per can.  Buying this item in bulk could save you over $560 per year!

3.  Prepare Your Own Meals.

Eating out and ordering fast food is something that we all do.  However, if you can cut back on your food expenses by eating at home you can save big bucks.  Plus, eating at home is generally healthier since you can control how the food is prepared and cut back on calories if you like.  Preparing your own food more often can literally save you thousand of dollars per year! 

Examine your daily spending.  If you find that you are spending a lot of money on one of the habits listed above, or even on another habit not listed, consider quitting or at least cutting back.  You could add thousands of dollars back into your annual budget by making a few sacrifices. 

Please remember, our credit specialists at HOPE are available to assist you.  If you have a credit problem or poor credit scores there is a way to change your situation.  Call us at 704-503-3669 today for more information.

Ways To Save Money Part 5

Ways to Save Money Part 5

So far this week we have been sticking to the theme of “saving money.”  Today’s blog is a little different since it will show you how to actually put some money back into your pocket.  We hope you enjoy today’s tip.  If you do, please forward a link to someone else.

Tip #5:  Have a Yard Sale!

More than likely, you have some excess clutter lying around your house.  These items could be sold and turned into extra cash!  The easiest, quickest way to sell your extra stuff is by holding a yard sale.  Here are a few extra tips that can help to make your yard sale more successful:

1.  Hold your sale on the first weekend of the month. 

2.  Put up large, neatly printed signs around your community the day before your yard sale is scheduled.  Signs should include the address where the sale will be held.

3.  Don’t overprice your items.  People come to yard sales to find good deals.  If you overprice the items in your sale, people may leave without making a purchase.

4.  Display your items neatly.  Whether you spread your items out on tables, blankets, or hanging racks, the more neatly your items are displayed, the better.  If people have to rummage through boxes to see what you are selling they are likely to buy less.

If you live in an apartment or if your homeowners association will not allow you to hold a yard sale don’t fret.  You can still sell your extra items through another venue such as ebay.com, amazon.com, or even buy renting a table at your local flea market.  Plus, you might have a friend or family member who would allow you to hold a yard sale at their home for a small fee. 

We hope you are enjoying this series, Ways to Save Money, from the HOPE Program.  If you need help with credit problems please give us a call at 704-503-3669.  We would love to schedule a personal credit consultation for you to speak with a HOPE credit specialist.    

Ways to Save Money Part 4

Ways to Save Money Part 4

There are many practical tips available that can help you to make the most of your income.  If you haven’t already, please check out the Recent Posts section on our website for Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this informative series.  We hope that you will find several ways to save more money.

Tip #4:  Whenever Possible, Buy in Bulk!

This tip is especially helpful in stretching your dollars if you purchase mainly non-perishable items when you do your bulk shopping.  Things like cereal, toiletries, canned goods, rice, pasta, and frozen items usually cost less per unit when purchased in bulk.  However, unless you have a very large and hungry family, buying things like fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, milk products, and other perishable items in bulk may actually be a waste of your money since the items may expire before they are all eaten.   

Also, when shopping at a bulk supply warehouse such as Sams Club, BJ’s, or Costco it is very important to remember to bring a shopping list with you.  Going to any store without a shopping list will likely result in spending more money than you had planned.  As long as you make a list and stick to it when you get to the store then you should be fine.

Tune in tomorrow for another great money saving tip from the HOPE Program.  Don’t forget to forward this blog to your friends and family if you find it helpful.  Remember, if you need personalized and professional help with any credit problems you may be facing, HOPE can assist you.  Just give us a call at 704-503-3669.  “Hopeless” is not in our vocabulary!  

Ways to Save Money Part 3

Ways to Save Money Part 3

This entire week is devoted to helping you find more ways to stretch your hard earned cash.  Please email your friends and family with a link to our blog so that they too can benefit from these great money saving techniques.  Read below for some more advice.

Tip #3:  Ask for Your Interest Rates to Be Lowered!

If you have good credit and a good standing with your credit card company then you may be able to qualify for a lower interest rate.  All you have to do is call up your credit card company and ask if you are eligible to receive a lower interest rate.  I have personally used this technique in the past.  My credit card company lowered my interest rate from a 14.99% fixed APR to a 9.99% fixed APR just because I called and made the request!

 Now, if you have made late payments to your credit card company in the past couple of years you probably will not able to receive a lower rate.  If you have late payments or other issues on your credit report our staff can help you.  Give us a call at 704-503-3669 for more information about how HOPE can help you to overcome your credit problems.   We are waiting for your call.

Ways to Save Money Part 2

Ways to Save Money Part 2

Today we are continuing to discuss the theme of saving money.  Even during great economic and financial times it is important to spend our money wisely.  During times like we are presently facing, it is even more imperative that we spend our hard earned money carefully.  Here is another great tip that can help you.

Tip # 2:  Ask for Your Current Bills to Be Lowered!

You probably don’t realize it, but you may be able to negotiate a lower price on some of your current bills.  A friend of mine recently told me how his cable company lowered his monthly bill when his wife called to tell them she was switching to Direct TV.  The cable company wound up lowering their monthly bill nearly $50 per month PLUS they received some additional features and services for free!

 When my friend told me his story, I decided to try contacting my personal cable company to see if my monthly bill could be lowered.  I spoke with a customer service agent and explained that I had received cheaper offers in the mail from Direct TV lately (which I have) and asked what they could do to lower my monthly bill.  After holding for a few minutes the customer service agent came back and offered me a savings of $20 per month. 

Other companies may be willing to lower your monthly bills as well.  Try calling some of your current creditors (i.e. cable company, phone company, cell phone company, child care service, newspaper/magazine subscriptions, etc.) to request a lower payment.  All it takes is one phone call to find out if you can save some of your hard earned money.

Please remember, if you are facing credit problems the friendly staff here at HOPE can help you.  Just give us a call at 704-503-3669 to learn more about the wonderful services we offer.  There’s no such thing as a hopeless situation